Vintaj BIGkick Jewelry Making Tutorial

May 10, 2015

The Vintaj Special Edition BIGkick Machine by Sizzix (out of production, and replaced/upgraded by the Big Shot Jewelry Studio) is the perfect tool for adding detailed patterns to metal. Unlike a rolling mill, the BIGkick machine is affordable, compact, and doesn’t require a lot of strength to use. It comes with the main machine body, a solo platform and shim, and a pair of cutting pads. There are dozens of DecoEmboss and DecoEtch dies in a variety of popular themes; these are sold separately so you can select the designs you like best and add to your collection over time. Finally the embossed and etched blanks can be polished to a high shine, or colored with Vintaj patina inks.

Inspired by Tiffany’s recent“interchangeable charm necklace” blog post, I’ve created a similar-style necklace. Rather than adding a lobster clasp to each charm, I have added a swivel clip to the necklace chain so a selection of charms can be added to the clip.

Enjoy this free step-by-step jewelry-making tutorial to learn about the BIGkick machine and to create a fun charm necklace.

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A selection of supplies needed to make a changeable charm necklace featuring Vintaj natural-brass blanks.

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Other supplies:

Craft paint brush

Paper plate work surface

paper towels

Vintaj natural-brass blanks come in a sweet selection of shapes. The brass is left partially soft so they feed though the BIGkick machine with ease and produce a perfect texture every time. Oh, and they are made in the USA.

Vintaj blanks are perfectly sized for the DecoEmboss and DecoEtch dies. They come prepunched with a 1.0-1.5mm hanging hole that will accommodate small to large jump rings.

DecoEmboss:

The DecoEmboss dies are a folder with carbon steel embossing plates on both sides of the folder; one side is a positive of a pattern and the facing side is the negative. When the metal blank is run through the BIGkick machine, it takes on a well-defined texture. Each folder has multiple placement possibilities and there are 27 folders to collect, which makes the design options seem limitless.

To emboss, begin by placing a metal blank in the DecoEmboss folder; make a design choice and be careful to place the blank with the hanging hole in the correct position. Pinch the folder closed to keep the blank from moving while you place it in the BIGkick machine.

Layer the DecoEmboss folder in the BIGkick machine in this order: platform, the first clear acrylic pad, the folder with the side marked “this side down” facing down (metal blank carefully placed inside), and the second clear acrylic pad. Turn the handle to feed the layers through the BIGkick machine. Turning the crank is so easy and requires very little strength.

Remove the folder and retrieve the embossed metal blank–it is now ready for finishing and jewelry making.

DecoEtch:

The DecoEtch dies are one sided. They have a “spongy” ejection foam top that covers a carbon-steel plate with a ridged pattern. When the metal blank is run through the BIGkick machine, the ridged pattern is pressed into the blank; the effect is similar to the look of metal stamping. Vintaj refers to this as “etched”, but there are no chemicals involved. Like the DecoEmboss folders, each die has multiple placement possibilities and there are 17 DecoEtch dies to collect.

To “etch”, begin by placing a metal blank on the DecoEtch die. Be sure to consider design choice and proper hanging-hole placement.

Layer the DecoEtch die in the BIGkick machine in this order: platform, the first clear acrylic pad, the die with foam-side facing up (metal blank carefully placed), and the second clear acrylic pad. Turn the handle to feed the layers through the BIGkick machine. Again turning the crank should turn easily and require little strength.

Remove the top acrylic plate and retrieve the “etched” metal blank–it is now ready for finishing and jewelry making.

Polish:

To finish the monotone metal blanks and make the embossed or etched patterns “pop”, simply polish the high points. Place the blank on a rubber block, this provides a firm, slip-resistant work surface. Polish the blank with a Vintaj reliefing block; start with the dark-gray side (heavy grit), then the white side (medium grit) and finally the light-gray side (finest grit). Be sure to polish both sides of the metal blank–each side will have a unique look.

Patina:

Vintaj patinas are opaque inks that are designed to adhere to metal. They are available in seven color-combination kits, plus select colors are available separately. Before beginning, thoroughly mix the patina by vigorously shaking the bottle. Vintaj patina inks can be applied on their own, or with Vintaj glaze. You can blend the glaze into the patina inks or apply a layer to the finished piece. The glaze has a light sheen and adds to the permanency of the finish.

Apply the patina inks to the embossed blank with a craft paint brush and blend the colors. Set the blank aside to dry; this takes just a few minutes. Shown here is the “Weathered Copper” patina kit which creates the look of verdigris metal,

Experiment and create your own color combinations from the many patina ink colors.

Again, apply the patina and blend the colors. Set aside to dry. Shown here is “quartz” and “amethyst” available in the “Victorian Gable” patina kit. It creates a look similar to enameled metal.

Once the patina ink has dried, polish the ink from the high points of the embossed pattern with the Vintaj reliefing block. Be sure to work from the heavy grit, to the medium grit, and finally to the fine grit. This process will result in a shiny-brass finish.

Add a large jump ring to each embossed and etched blank to turn it into a usable charm.

Beaded Charms:

Gather the supplies you will need to make pearl charms from Swarovski crystal pearls: crystal pearls, ball end head pins, and jump rings. Also, you will need these tools: round-nose pliers, chain-nose pliers, flat-nose pliers, semi-flush side cutters, and nylon-jaw flat-nose pliers (optional).

To make a crystal-pearl charm, first add a pearl to the head pin, then form a wrapped loop, and finally attach a jump ring.

Here is a close-up view of the wire-wrapped loop being formed.

Gather the supplies you will need to make crystal-bead charms: crystal beads, ball end head pins, and jump rings. Also, you will need these tools: round-nose pliers, chain-nose pliers, flat-nose pliers, semi-flush side cutters, and nylon-jaw flat-nose pliers (optional).

To make a crystal-bead charm from Swarovski bicone beads, first add three crystal beads to the head pin (in the colors of your choice), then form a wrapped loop, and finally attach a jump ring.

Here is a close-up view of the wire-wrapped loop being formed.

Finish a Charm Necklace:

To make an “interchangeable charm chain” follow these steps: Cut the ball chain to your desired length, add a ball chain clasp to one chain end, slide the swivel clip onto the chain, and connect the open chain end to the clasp.

All of the Sizzix dies that we sell, can be used for embossing metals. But you will need to read the information on each of your dies, to see if it can be used for metal. (If you use dies intended for softer materials, on metal, you will damage your dies, so if you test it out, test it on a die that you don’t like very much.)
Here is more information on the Big Shot, and related projects that work for embossing metal, and cutting leather for jewelry: http://www.rings-things.com/Products/Sizzix-Big-Shot-Jewelry-Studio/ ~Polly

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